Comparative analysis of the static adsorption of oil droplets and the dynamic absorption capacity of their aggregates by cotton, kapok, cattail and flax fibers

Abstract

Natural fiber has the advantages of being abundant, renewable and biodegradable, and it will be very promising to use it in the field of oil absorption. The adsorption and absorption process of engine oil, waste oil and salad oil were observed and quantitatively characterized by using four natural fibers of cotton, kapok, cattail and flax fiber. The main reason for the different forms of adsorbed oil droplets is that the static contact angles of the four fibers have little difference in the three oils, which further proves that flax is both lipophilic and hydrophilic. Judging from the shape of the oil droplets absorbed by the four types of fiber flakes, because the fibers changed from the local wetting state to the diffusion and expansion stage, and finally reached a stable state of saturation, the immersion time of the first half of the circle was much lower than that of the second half. The analysis of the influencing factors, such as the wax content on the fiber surface and the viscosity and tension of the oil, provides a theoretical reference for the application of natural fibers in the field of oil and sewage treatment.